Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We want to get homelessness down to very low levels. There has been a reduction of 36% in family homelessness, with families emerging from the emergency centres. There has been a 19% reduction overall. The Minister has been active on the homeless question and is engaging on a constant basis with the NGOs. Personally and as leader of the Government, I want to do everything we possibly can to reduce homelessness. It reflects on us a society that it has grown dramatically over time. We need to deal with it. There have been welcome reductions over the past 12 months but there are still challenges ahead in that regard.

The relevant Ministers will deal with the issue relating to the investment funds. We are not worried about funds. I have no interest in defending funds, none whatsoever. My only interest is in getting houses built so that people can get access to housing. That is my only issue. I am not interested in sort of protecting anybody. I have had no engagement with any fund or talked to anybody. That is not my agenda or the Government's agenda. Our only agenda is to increase the supply of houses that we are currently making available to people.

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